UPDATE: Name of owner of dog that attacked area horses released by Sheriff's Office

Jun. 14, 2013

Christopher Cox / Fond du Lac County Jail photo

Written by

Sam Strong

The Reporter Media

The 3-year-old pitbull that attacked six horses at Free SPIRIT Riders Monday afternoon belonged to 35-year-old Christopher Cox, according to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office.

Cox, who lives at W3894 Highway 23 near the non-profit organization’s property, was cited by officers Wednesday for having an animal running at large. Cox was also arrested on a warrant for failing to pay court fines on a misdemeanor possession of THC case.

Cox told officers he lives at the Highway 23 address with his parents and children. Cox told officers he was there with his son and dog, Ali, on Monday around 12:45 p.m. when his son accidentally let the dog outside, according to a Sheriff’s Office report. The dog ran next door to the Free SPIRIT Riders property at W3950 Highway 23 and began attacking the horses, the report said. It is unknown what caused the dog to attack.

According to the report, the dog was not vaccinated and Cox did not have insurance for it.

A Free SPIRIT Riders employee told officers she saw the dog running toward one of the horses, Mocha, and begin biting it. The employee freed the horse and the dog continued to attack, according to the report.

Other employees eventually got the dog into a vehicle, but the dog was released because she was ripping up the interior. When let out of the vehicle, the dog broke free from her leash and attacked the horses again, the report said.

The horses kicked the dog in self-defense and it died from related injuries, the report said.

The horses are expected to make a full recovery. Free SPIRIT Riders classes were canceled for the week, but are expected to resume in the near future, at first on a limited basis.

Free SPIRIT Riders is a non-profit organization that offers people with disabilities therapy through riding and grooming horses.